kittykat

Yuuuuup! I tried, I really tried these last two weeks to understand and get the Why from the other side. I wanted to see if I was missing something but no. Most of these people are so firmly entrenched in their Trump Train and demonizing our side by accusing us of not listening or not caring. BULLSHIT! I'm tired of hearing "Democrats suck! They didn't suck up to me enough!" I know our side could have done some things better but how do you run a well-qualified, articulate woman who is the vice-president with laid out policy and then say she's not qualified or clear enough about her platform? No let's go with the narcissistic, lie spewing, business -failing bloviator because he makes them feel good about their prejudices. And Kamala Harris is down less than 2.5M votes on the popular vote and 7M less than what Biden got. But nooooooo stay home and protest because you're all still butthurt about Bernie Sanders not getting the nom eight years ago even though Hillary Clinton kept beating him soundly in the primaries and was less popular with black and women voters than either Clinton or Harris. Trust me this is another argument that's been reignited on the interwebs and I am not here for it.

Oh man yes this needs to happen. I just don't know how when the people it benefits the most are ones ruling the roost. And our system was designed so that the minority would have a voice and not get shut down by majority rule but the pendulum has swung too far. Banish the Electoral College, every state has equal representation through the Senate. And honestly that is problematic too because the way the populace is allocated over half the senators are casting votes when they represent about 30% of the population. Of course one just can't give extra votes to NY, CA or Texas. But when the Senate is a huge roadblock to getting a law passed or a Court Justice confirmed it proves to be iffy on execution. And yes it sucks that most of our elected officials, particularly Republican, seem to think shoving Abortion bans down our throat is the way. Pro Abortion Republicans could do the simple thing by helping to vote them out but most can't fathom marking down anyone just because there's a D next to their name so here we are. There are few exceptions: Kentucky is bright red but have a Democrat governor and both of Arizona's senators are Democrats too. On the other side Virginia went blue and has a Republican governor. I just wish there was more nuance in most of our voters instead of just down the party line voting.

Seriously! Jon, yet again, nails the analysis. The high road means nothing to the other side.

I agree with this. As one example, it is my main issue with the Christian Right. They'll push the bible or the Ten Commandments in public school then turn around and ban books that show any sexual content, particularly if it is LGBT+ related. Then they accuse public schools of indoctrinating them with socialist or anti-religious rhetoric. And I think the Christian Right should exist. If someone values the teachings of Christ or Sunday church enriches one's life or personal happiness then good for them. But don't turn around and get the government involved in forcing school prayer or Bible study in public school. Some of these people turn around and accuse secular groups of forcing their children to conform to their beliefs but they're really just upset that everyone isn't conforming to them. And again, not ALL religious groups but the most vocal ones and ones that are posted to high levels of government and that concerns me. I have religious friends and I'm happy to continue their acquaintance because they respect that I'm not religious and I respect their beliefs in return. Also this is only one example. It's also true that the far left can shut people out as well to the detriment of our side and it's something we all need to work on. I don't want to shut people out that don't think like me. It's good to keep people around that challenge you and make one think differently about any subject but it's also good to draw boundaries. If my Republican friends do believe Trump can save the economy and that inflation can go down but are also protective of my rights and other at risk groups then of course we'll stay friends. If they start sprouting racist, misogynistic and bigoted rhetoric then that's my line and I'm done.

Hahahahaha! Now THAT'S how you leave the White House.

I give Dubya credit now for being able to laugh at himself for all his dumb gaffes but that does not exonerate his terrible presidency and acting as the puppet of Cheney and Rummy. Cheney can pal around with Harris all he wants but he was always pushing for extended presidential power so he shouldn't be all "what happen!" When Trump and his cronies are trying to do the same.

Right. They only do the no method instructions on iconic recipes like tarte au citron or Victorian Sponge. And if you're in the quarterfinals you should have a based knowledge of certain elements. The only tricky parts of this challenge was the shortcrust and the caramel. Did enjoy the 70sness of it all. Georgie seemed like a no-brainer for SB after Dylan over minted his cake. Not sure if Gill or Christiann will make the cut. Gill always seems to save herself on the showstopper where Christiann should be lucky Illyin has a worse week because he really bombed on flavors in his showstopper. Liked how Paul shouted out Bingate and pointed out that at least Illyin rallied and presented something. Sucks her presentation wasn't up to snuff because apparently she had the best flavors.

I think for the most part people are just tired. I'm tired. I'm sick of seeing social media sites devolve into name calling and LALALAICANTHEARYOU! I can't expect it to change but the fact that vocal Trump supporters are feeling emboldened to gate crash every forum and gloat and call names and harass women and at-risk groups leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Again a lot of left leaning people have tried for years to voice their objections to hate speech and bigotry and sexism and feel like they get stonewalled by the other side. I've seen more right leaning people say the same thing about us. This thread i think has been a successful experiment that we can talk to each other and respectfully disagree. To the right leaners from a leftie: if your points are well articulated, I may disagree, but I respect and will always defend your right to express those opinions as long as they do not devolve into hate speech or foment any violence towards any targeted group. Rock Hudson was the turning point of AIDS awareness. I know he was a closeted gay man but once it was brought to the public eye that straight white men could be infected then, whoa, suddenly it's a problem. EXACTLY! And I don't think enough men have not or will not make that connection yet. No one is saying their voice doesn't matter but they need to learn they are not the ONLY voice that matters.

Nativity scenes in: churches, outside on church property, or religious schools are fine. Nativity scenes in: Government buildings, public schools or public property is a violation of the first amendment. It's that simple. I can't stop this depression. It's starting to affect my sleep. I've read and learned and thank goodness for this thread. I've gone to other platforms (I wish I could quit reddit) and I'm just falling further and further into a hopeless divide between both sides of voters. I can't escape my original motion that the economy is not the true reason. That there really are enough people out there who can't fathom seeing women as equal to them or seeing one in office. And when I see guys replying to female posts threatening to rape them or black people getting texts to report to plantations how does one justify themselves as the people with the moral high ground? To all the male Trump supporters, I can't help but quote the final sentence from South Park's Sharon Marsh in once of the most heartbreaking speeches the show did: Congratulations on getting YOUR way, again!

Small victories. I'll take it. Exactly. Government programs tracking all the way back to FDR's New Deal are exactly why the Silent/Boomer eras were so prosperous. I say era, not people because obviously certain classes and races did not benefit. Federal investments into infrastructure and education and the progressive tax system under Eisenhower all contributed to the most prosperous era (again only a select few) in American history. We also benefitted from not having our continent blown to bits, unlike Europe. The 80s were an era of false prosperity where the rich got richer and social programs that benefitted everyone were gutted. But, yay, shopping malls! Reagan was popular his first term because of the economy but it was not his economic plan that worked, it was the remnants of Jimmy Carter's economic plan and Reagan got the credit. I read a book a few years ago about how it takes a President's economic plan around 2-3 years to display any positive/negative effect. Which is part of why I'm so angry because I know the economy will likely take a turn for the better but then Trump will be in office but he'll be coasting on BIDEN'S plan but then he'll get all the credit with his base. It's been over a week and I'm still screaming into my pillow every day.

Pretty sure they were paid two cents a bucket of oranges in The Grapes of Wrath. Of course these guys have to adjust for inflation 🙄 And she got eviscerated by plenty of Democrat voters for wanting to do that. I know we need bipartisanship to get things passed but when the post 2008 Republicans have been the party of No how do you fight that? Do we become just as stubborn as the Republicans and shut them out? I don't want the Democrats to stoop to their level but I'm sick of feeling like they always bend over and take it. If Harris wanted to appoint someone like Adam Kinzinger or Lisa Murkowski (the only R senator to vote against Kavanaugh) I don't really see a problem there with appointing and opposing party member. Constitutional guardrails, like 3/4 states to ratify an amendment or 2/3 Congress to override a veto, are there so one party can't steamroll the other. We may not like it right now but bipartisanship is necessary to get anything meaningful done. I'm just tired of Democrats always having to be the bigger people and still get all the blame when push comes to shove and it's not changing any time soon. Susan Collins folds easier than a lawn chair.

Ugh I know. I'm part of that hated Millennial (technically Xennial) group that is supposedly the generation of ME ME ME!!! Well the Me Me Mes were the only group that went more blue so time to rebrand. And I normally hate Generation Wars because everyone has good people and assholes. Half of me knows the fight is just beginning and to lace up but the other half wants to pull up a barcalounger and take over from GenX as the generation who no longer gives a fuck. Because goddamn we tried!

I guess my definition of middle class is the group of people who achieved some form of secondary education be it four year university or trade school where a learned skill is developed. And yes it's maddening that 100k a year is barely scraping by in some cities. I live in the greater Seattle area and this is particularly true here. Sadly part of that is desirability of blue cities which make them more expensive (even if Fox News loves making us public enemy #1). Although tech has taken a major hit up here and thousands of jobs have been lost. Real estate is also ridiculously exploited by means of hedge fund groups buying up available, affordable single family homes as "investments" whether they're good for their portfolios or they're leasing them as short-term rentals which drives the prices up to the point where a family making 100k can't even buy a starter home or a fixer upper without breaking the bank. In short, the whole system is fucked.

Again this argument of being left behind all boils down to the exploitation of late stage Capitalism. The greatest struggle right now is that people working lower/middle class jobs aren't making enough money to combat the rising cost of living. If one is working a minimum wage job, I believe one should make enough money to be able to pay for the basic necessities. They won't purchase a house or filet mignon but food, clothing and shelter should be affordable to that person. If one is working 2/3 jobs they shouldn't be barely getting by, they should be thriving. The problem is that most people are not paid what they are worth. Billionaires will turn around and say they can't afford to raise wages or that jobs will be cut if their taxes are raised then turn around and tell their middle class worker it's not fair to them that minimum wage is being raised. Keeping the middle and lower classes fighting one another is what keeps the rich empowered. The lower classes are not taking away from middle classes for higher wages, middle classes are being grossly underpaid for their learned skill. It's been a joke the last 10-15 years how college grads can't get an entry level job without 2-3 years experience and a low-ball salary with minimum benefits. Trades should also be explored of course but it's about re balancing the COL and basic wages. Of course this would mean TAXING THE RICH! So yes I get a little frustrated when the people who voted for Trump because they feel left behind by this economy just voted back in the very class of people who have been keeping them down.